InterSystems Ensemble selected by Northgate Information Solutions to support NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme
InterSystems has been selected by Northgate Information Solutions, a leading provider of innovative services to the public sector and utilities markets, to support its work under the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP).
The national clinical IT system eSP (eScreener Plus), developed and supported by Northgate, is recognised as one of the most successful electronic screening systems in the NHS. It provides a national online information and performance management system, including fully automated notification of new babies born, enabling clinicians to effectively manage screening and follow-up services.
InterSystems Ensemble® rapid integration platform has been chosen to enable data to be fed directly to the eSP from the 2,400 pieces of hearing test equipment located at 182 NHS Trusts. This will remove the need for manual importing or duplicate entry, leading to improved data quality and simplified processes.
“This is a very exciting stage in the development of the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme. The improvements being delivered by Northgate will not only improve efficiency but also lead to better programme governance and improved outcomes,” explained Nick Waddell of the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme. “We are now in a good position to take forward the planned integration of the screening management system into the Connecting for Health National Care Records Service (NCRS).”
Andy Gordon-Jones, Healthcare Director at Northgate Information Solutions, said: “Hearing impairment and deafness can now be identified in children within the first few months of birth rather than at three years of age. The improvements we are delivering to eSP will further support the provision of an efficient and effective screening process, responsive to the needs of families.”
“We are delighted that Northgate Information Solutions has selected InterSystems to support its work under the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme”, commented Graham Frost, Group Director and Managing Director UK Region, InterSystems. Frost adds, “This further endorses Ensemble as 2007’s most successful and desirable integration platform preferred by NHS and associated end users. The combination of Northgate’s skills and expertise and InterSystems innovative and reliable integration platform will rapidly deliver the benefits that this service requires with the flexibility to easily handle changes as new NHS services come on stream.”
